Ariel Helwani pens lengthy, stern message after Dana White decides his own punishment

Ariel Helwani has penned a message to Dana White after the UFC president recently discussed his latest controversy and decided what his punishment should be.

The 53-year-old was addressing the media at the UFC Apex facility for the first time following an incident involving his wife on New Year's Eve.

The pair were out celebrating with friends in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and TMZ later released a video from the night. The footage shows White and his wife Anne drinking and arguing before she slaps him across the face. Dana White immediately slapped her back before they were separated by friends.

Discussing his punishment to the media, Dana White suggested that walking around knowing what he did and with the public knowing it is punishment enough. However, Ariel Helwani disagrees.

The Canadian journalist wrote a message to White on Instagram, stating that, "Regret isn't a punishment":

"We all face repercussions for our actions. We don’t get to decide what our punishments are. And if you do bad things, you don’t get say your punishment is just having to live with those bad feelings and that’s it. No, in life, you have to live with those feelings AND face consequences. That’s just how it goes. Regret isn’t a punishment. It’s a consequence. Big difference."

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Dana White confirms he will not step down as UFC president

During Dana White's appearance at the UFC Apex facility, the 53-year-old also addressed his future after many questioned whether he should have resigned following the incident with his wife on NYE.

According to White, whilst he certainly understands all the criticism coming his way after his actions, he ultimately believes that stepping away from the UFC would be detrimental to the organization and hurt everybody involved:

"What should the repercussions be? I take 30 days off? How does that hurt me? I told you guys, as we were going through [COVID-19 pandemic], COVID could last 10 years, and I could sit it out. It's much like COVID, actually. Me leaving hurts the company. Hurts my employees. Hurts the fighters. Doesn't hurt me."

The UFC president added:

"Here's my punishment... I have to walk around for however long I live, and this is how I'm labeled now. My other punishment is that I'm sure a lot of people, whether it be the media, fighters, friends, acquaintances, who had respect for me might not have respect for me now. There's a lot of things I have to deal with the rest of my life that's way more of a punishment than, what, I take a 30-day or 60-day absence?"

Catch the clip here: